RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito de extrato de tanino condensado de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii) no desempenho, consistência fecal e concentração sérica de haptoglobina em leitões na fase de creche. Foram utilizados 88 leitões desmamados aos 28±3 dias, com peso vivo médio inicial 8,02 ± 1,21 kg, alojados em duplas de mesmo sexo, e distribuídos em quatro tratamentos em um delineamento de blocos inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: dieta simples (SD); dieta simples + tanino (SD+T); dieta complexa (CD) e dieta complexa + tanino (CD+T). As dietas simples foram formuladas com menores concentrações de derivados de leite, inclusão de cevada e sem adição de óxido de zinco, palatabilizante e levedura. As dietas com inclusão de tanino foram suplementadas com 1850 mg kg-1 de extrato concentrado de tanino de acácia negra. O programa alimentar foi constituído de três dietas: Pré-inicial I (0 a 7 dias), Pré-inicial II (8 a 21 dias) e Inicial (22 a 28 dias). Ração e água ficaram disponíveis ad libitum. O peso e o consumo de ração dos leitões foram mensurados semanalmente, para calcular a média diária de consumo, o ganho de peso diário e a conversão alimentar. O índice de consistência fecal foi medido diariamente para calcular a porcentagem de ocorrência de diarreia. Amostras de sangue para concentração sérica de haptoglobina foram coletadas aos sete e 14 dias após o desmame. A adição de tanino condensado não teve efeito (P > 0,05) no desempenho de leitões desmamados. O tipo de dieta também não afetou o desempenho dos leitões (P > 0,05). A inclusão do tanino condensado de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii) não afetou desempenho, reduziu a incidência de diarreia na primeira semana após o desmame, e diminuiu a resposta inflamatória da haptoglobina. RESUMO acácianegra negra Acacia mearnsii creche 8 283 3 28± 802 02 8,0 121 1 1,2 kg sexo acaso SD (SD) SD+T SDT T (SD+T) CD (CD CD+T. CDT CD+T . (CD+T) leite zinco levedura 185 kg1 kg- Préinicial Pré 0 ( , 22 (2 dias. libitum semanalmente desmame P 0,05 005 05 0,05. 80 8, 12 1, (SD (SD+T (CD+T 18 0,0 00 0,

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effect of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) condensed tannin extract in simple and complex diets for weaned piglets on performance, faecal consistency and serum haptoglobin concentrations. Eighty-eight female and castrated male piglets were used, weaned at 28 ± 3 days old, with an initial body weight of 8.02 ± 1.21 kg, housed in same-sex pairs and distributed in four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design. The experimental treatments were simple diet (SD), simple diet + tannin (SD+T), complex diet (CD) and complex diet + tannin (CD+T). The simple diets contained lower concentrations of dairy ingredients, inclusion of barley and no addition of zinc oxide, palatant, acidifier and yeast. The diets with tannin were supplemented with 1,850 mg kg-1 of black wattle condensed tannin extract. The feed programme consisted of three diets: Pre-starter I (0-7 days), Pre-starter II (8-21 days) and Starter (22-28 days). Feed and water were available ad libitum. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate the average daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The faecal consistency score was measured daily to calculate the diarrhoea occurrence percentage. Blood samples for serum haptoglobin concentration were collected at 7 and 14 days after weaning. The addition of condensed tannin had no effect (P > 0.05) on evaluated performance variables for weaned piglets. The diet type also did not affect the piglets’ performance (P > 0.05). The inclusion of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) condensed tannin does not affect piglet performance, reduces the incidence of diarrhoea in the first week after weaning and decreases the haptoglobin inflammatory response. ABSTRACT Acacia mearnsii Eightyeight Eighty eight used old 802 8 02 8.0 121 1 21 1.2 kg samesex same sex design SD, SD , (SD) SD+T, SDT SD+T T (SD+T) CD (CD CD+T. CDT CD+T . (CD+T) ingredients oxide palatant yeast 1850 850 1,85 kg1 kg- Prestarter Pre starter 07 0 (0- days, 821 (8-2 2228 22 (22-2 days. libitum ratio percentage P 0.05 005 05 0.05. response 80 8. 12 1. (SD (SD+T (CD+T 185 85 1,8 (0 82 (8- 222 (22- 0.0 00 18 1, ( (8 (22 0. (2

Many studies have been published recently about the beneficial effect of different fibre sources in a broiler diet. To assess the effects of raw material sources available in southern Africa, a trial was done with four treatments: control diet, 2% sunflower hulls, 2% malt culms, and 0.8% of a commercial lignocellulose product. Using a completely randomised block design, each treatment had 24 repetitions (96 pens in total), with 48 birds per pen. The effects were measured weekly by assessing production parameters, gut development, and the humoral immune response. Production parameters were measured per pen, gut measurements were done on 12 birds per treatment each week, and humoral immune response on 24 birds per treatment at 32 days. The promising responses seen in previous studies on fibre sources such as sugar beet pulp and oat hulls were not fully repeated here with the local fibre sources. There were no statistical differences from the control group based on production parameters. Sunflower hulls produced a substantial improvement over the control group with regards to caecal and overall intestinal lengths at 7 d. There was a numerical improvement in gizzard weights at 7 d for the malt culms group. No marked differences were detected in serology. The results indicate that there could be merit in including sunflower hulls in the pre-starter period (days 0-7), although it did not translate to production advantages here. Different inclusion levels should be investigated.

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of broiler age (A) and levels of replacement (L) of control diet (CD) on the utilization of energy and nutrients of whole corn germ. 720 one-day-old broilers (b) were allocated at completely randomized design to six treatments and six replicates, in three assays: pre-starter (1-8 days, 10 b/cage), starter (15-22 days, 6 b/cage), and grower (28-35 days, 4 b/cage) phases. The treatments were: CD and four test diets (L): 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 g kg-1 of the CD replaced by WCG levels. The data were adjusted to the response surface model. The stationary points for apparent energy metabolizable (AME) and AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) were: 4173 and 3591 kcal kg-1, respectively, and coefficients of gross energy (AMCGE), crude protein (AMCCP), dry matter (AMCDM), and ether extract (AMCEE) were: 49.3, 40.4, 72.6, and 61.3%, respectively; and Ileal digestibility coefficient of crude protein (IDCCP), dry matter (IDCDM), digestibility crude protein values (DCP), and digestibility dry matter value (DDM) were: 78.0, 57.96, 8.50, and 56.17%, respectively. The EP for AMEn was at 18 days of age, 28 g kg-1 WCG. There was a correlation between A and L on digestibility and metabolisability of nutrient’s WCG. (A (L (CD germ 72 onedayold one day old b (b replicates assays prestarter pre 1 8 (1- b/cage, bcage b/cage , cage 1522 15 22 (15-2 2835 35 (28-3 phases 100 150 200 250 30 kg1 kg kg- model (AME (AMEn 417 359 kg1, 1, respectively AMCGE, AMCGE (AMCGE) AMCCP, AMCCP (AMCCP) AMCDM, AMCDM (AMCDM) AMCEE (AMCEE 493 49 3 49.3 404 40 40.4 726 72.6 613 61 61.3% IDCCP, IDCCP (IDCCP) IDCDM, IDCDM (IDCDM) DCP, DCP (DCP) DDM (DDM 780 78 0 78.0 5796 57 96 57.96 850 50 8.50 5617 56 17 56.17% 2 nutrient s 7 (1 152 (15- 283 (28- 20 25 41 (AMCGE (AMCCP (AMCDM 49. 40. 72. 61.3 (IDCCP (IDCDM (DCP 78. 579 5 9 57.9 85 8.5 561 56.17 ( (15 (28 61. 57. 8. 56.1 (2 56.

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of an enzyme complex (EC) on the metabolizability coefficients of dry matter (MCDM), crude protein (MCCP), and ether extract (MCEE) and on the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of corn gluten meal, soybean protein concentrate, dried bovine plasma, and poultry offal meal. Additionally, the experiments aimed to evaluate how EC affected broiler performance. In experiment I, 720 day-old Cobb 500® broilers were assigned to a completely randomized design using a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. The main factors considered were the feedstuff (corn gluten meal, soybean protein concentrate, dried bovine plasma, and poultry offal meal) and the presence or absence of EC. The broilers were housed in 45 pens, using five replicates, with ten birds in the pre-starter phase and six birds in the starter phase. This design resulted in eight treatment groups, including one reference diet group. In experiment II, 1140 day-old Cobb 500® chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design, employing a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the same main factors as in experiment I. Birds were housed in 48 pens, using six replicates/30 birds, yielding eight treatments. The use of the EC did not lead to improvements in digestibility of the feedstuffs. However, the addition of EC resulted in enhanced body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratios across all phases of broiler growth. Enzyme complex inclusion did not affect feed intake. While the EC did not enhance the metabolizability of nutrients in feedstuffs individually, broilers fed diets containing these feedstuffs and supplemented with EC exhibited improved performance at 42 days of age. This suggests that the impact of the EC varies depending on whether it is observed at the feedstuff or diet level. (EC MCDM, MCDM , (MCDM) MCCP, MCCP (MCCP) MCEE (MCEE nitrogencorrected nitrogen corrected AMEn (AMEn meal concentrate plasma Additionally I 72 dayold day old 500 arrangement pens replicates prestarter pre groups group II 114 replicates30 30 replicates/3 treatments However growth intake individually age level (MCDM (MCCP 7 50 11 replicates3 3 replicates/ 5 1

This study was developed to examine the performance, carcass and cut yields, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphometry of chickens fed diets supplemented with protected sodium butyrate until 21 days of age. Two experiments were conducted, both of which involved the following treatments: basal diet with inclusion of an antibiotic; basal diet without antibiotic or protected sodium butyrate (PSB; control); basal diet with inclusion of 225 g/t PSB in the pre-starter and starter phases; and basal diet with inclusion of 300 g/t PSB in the pre-starter and starter phases. In the first experiment, 784 male broiler chicks were distributed into the four treatments, with seven replicates of 28 birds, to evaluate performance and carcass and cut yields. In experiment II, 280 male broiler chicks were distributed into the four treatments, with seven replicates of 10 birds, to evaluate intestinal digestibility and histomorphometry. At 42 days of age, the broilers supplemented with 225 g/t PSB had a higher average final weight than the control group. At seven days, the chickens supplemented with 300 g/t PSB exhibited the highest duodenal villus height; those supplemented with 225 or 300g/t PSB or antibiotic showed the greatest jejunal villus height; and those treated with 225 g/t PSB exhibited the highest jejunal villus/crypt ratio. At 21 days of age, the broilers that received 225 g/t PSB showed the highest duodenal and jejunal villus height. The use of protected sodium butyrate in chicken diets up to 21 days of age improves intestinal development and performance until slaughter age.

RESUMO Objetivou-se, com este estudo, encontrar níveis adequados de inclusão de butirato de sódio em ração pós-eclosão e pré-inicial, buscando minimizar os efeitos negativos do jejum de pintos de corte. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições de 10 aves cada. Foram utilizadas cinco suplementações de butirato de sódio (controle; 0,05; 0,075; 0,100 e 0,200%) na ração pré-inicial, fornecidas aos pintos na caixa de transporte e durante a fase pré-inicial. Após 24 horas de acesso ao alimento e aos sete dias de idade, foram avaliados desempenho, retração do saco vitelino, concentração de glicose plasmática, peso e histomorfometria do intestino delgado. De sete a 10 dias de idade, realizou-se ensaio de metabolizabilidade. A suplementação de 0,10% de butirato de sódio aumentou o desenvolvimento das vilosidades intestinais dos pintos de corte aos sete dias de idade, mas não foi capaz de melhorar o desempenho na fase pré-inicial. A suplementação com butirato de sódio em dieta oferecida na caixa de transporte não melhora o desempenho dos frangos na fase pré-inicial. Recomenda-se suplementação de até 0,16%, a fim de melhorar a metabolizabilidade do extrato etéreo para frangos de corte aos sete dias de idade.

ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine adequate levels for sodium butyrate inclusion in pre-hatching and pre-starter feed in order to minimize the negative effects of post-hatch delayed placement on broiler chicks. Newly-hatched chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design, with five treatments, each comprising five replicates of ten birds each. Five dietetic levels of sodium butyrate (control, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100 and 0.200%) were used in the pre-starter feed offered to the chicks in the transporting box and during the pre-starter phase. Performance, yolk sac retraction, plasma glucose concentration, weight and histomorphometry of the small intestine were evaluated after 24 hours of feed access and at 7 days of age. A metabolic trial was performed when the chicks were seven to ten days of age. Supplementation of 0.1% sodium butyrate increased the development of broiler chicks’ intestinal villi at seven days of age but was not able to improve performance in the pre-starter phase. Supplementation with sodium butyrate in a diet offered in the transportation box does not improve broiler performance in the pre-starter phase. Supplementation of up to 0.16% is recommended, in order to improve the metabolizability of the ether extract for broilers at seven days of age.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o processamento térmico de rações pré-iniciais sobre o desempenho, morfometria dos órgãos do sistema digestório e metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes das rações de pintos de corte. Foram utilizados 180 pintos de corte, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos, seis repetições de 15 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em ração peletizada (70°C) e ração extrusada (150°C). O ensaio de metabolizabilidade foi realizado de quatro a sete dias de idade, enquanto o desempenho e morfometria dos órgãos do sistema digestório foram avaliados aos sete e 21 dias de idade. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância. Aos sete dias de idade, os pintos que consumiram ração extrusada apresentaram menor consumo de ração, menor desenvolvimento dos órgãos do trato digestório, pior metabolizabilidade do nitrogênio, matéria seca, além de menor energia metabolizável em relação a ração peletizada. Do mesmo modo, aos 21 dias de idade, os pintos que consumiram ração pré-inicial extrusada apresentaram pior desempenho em relação a ração peletizada. Conclui-se que ração extrusada a 150°C para pintos de corte na fase pré-inicial, resulta em menor metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes e menor desenvolvimento dos órgãos do sistema digestório aos sete dias de idade e pior desempenho aos 21 dias.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal processing of pre-initial diets on performance, morphometry of the organs of the digestive system and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicks. The test sample consisted of 180 broiler chicks distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments, six replications of 15 birds each. The treatments consisted of pelleted feed (70°C) and extruded feed (150°C). The metabolism test was realized from 4 to 7 days of age, while the performance and morphometry of the organs of the digestive system were evaluated at 7 and 21 days of age. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. At seven days of age, chicks that consumed extruded feed had lower feed intake, less development of digestive tract organs, lower nitrogen absorption rate, dry matter, in addition to less metabolizable energy compared to pelleted feed. Likewise, at 21 days of age, chicks that consumed extruded pre-starter feed performed worse than pelleted feed. The conclusion is thus reached that feed extruded at 150 ° C for broiler chicks in the pre-initial phase, results in lower nutrient digestibility and an inferior development of the organs of the digestive system at 7 days of age and worse performance at 21 days.

ABSTRACT Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of digestible valine supplementation in pre-starter and starter diets on the productivity, nutrient metabolizability coefficient (NMC), and immune response of broilers from breeders of different ages. Experiments I and II were conducted with broilers in the pre-starter (1 to 7 days of age) and starter (8 to 21 days of age) phases, respectively. Broilers were fed diets that differed in their digestible valine content. In each trial, 400 male Cobb 500® chicks were randomly housed in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with eight treatments and five replicates of 10 birds each. The main effects were breeder age (37 vs. 52 weeks) and the digestible valine level in pre-starter (9.2, 10.2, 11.2, and 12.2 g/kg) and starter (8.3, 9.3, 10.3, and 11.3 g/kg) diets. Productive performance, intestinal histology, and immune response of broilers were evaluated. Supplementation with 11.2 g/kg valine in pre-starter diets improved NMC and increased villus height and villus:crypt ratio in the duodenum, jejunum development, and lymphocyte proliferation in the spleen of broilers at seven days of age, without improving performance (body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio). In the starter phase, valine supplementation reduced feed intake but did not affect NMC, intestinal development, or immune response. The present results suggest that the same level of digestible valine should be used in the diet of broilers born to breeders of different ages, and the use of 9.2 and 8.3 g/kg digestible valine in pre-starter and starter diets, respectively, is sufficient to ensure satisfactory broiler performance. However, to improve the duodenum and jejunum development and immune response of broilers in the pre-starter phase, higher digestible valine levels are required.

ABSTRACT Growth performance, organ biometrics, bone characteristics, and intestinal morphometry were evaluated in broilers fed a diet containing orange (Citrus sinensis L.) essential oil. A completely randomized design was used, with five treatments with orange essential oil (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg kg−1 diet) and six replications with 20 birds per experimental unit. In the pre-starter phase, feed intake and weight gain of all birds linearly increased, while feed conversion decreased with the addition of orange essential oil in the feed. At day 21, bone density (Seedor Index) and body weight were higher in the birds that received the maximum level of essential oil (400 mg kg−1) compared with those not treated with essential oil. The observed effects resulted from the better functioning of the physiological mechanisms of digestion and absorption of nutrients, characterized by the increase in villus height. Glycemia and weights of gastrointestinal tract organs of broilers at 21 days of age were not influenced by the evaluated essential oil. The results show that the addition of phytogenic additives to the diet does not cause any physiological impairment in birds.

ABSTRACT Post-hatch delayed placement damages, physical and physiological development of broiler chicks. The objective of this study was to ascertain adequate levels of glutamine inclusion in post-hatch and pre-starter feed, in order to minimize the negative effects of post-hatch delayed placement on broiler chicks. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and five replicates of ten birds each. Four levels of glutamine supplementation (0, 1, 2 and 3%) were used in the pre-starter feed, which was given to the chicks in the transportation box and during the pre-starter phase. After 24 hours of access to this feed, and at 7 days of age, the chicks’ performance, yolk sac retraction, plasma glucose concentration, weight and small-intestine histomorphometry were evaluated. From seven to ten days of age, a metabolizability assay was performed. Glutamine supplementation tended to increase the use of the yolk sac, the concentration of plasma glucose (p<0.10) and the depth of the crypt in the ileum after 24 hours of life (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the glutamine supplementation levels, in relation to glucose, histomorphometry or metabolizability in the pre-starter phase. Glutamine concentrations did not differ in relation to performance, histomorphometry of the small intestine or metabolizability of nutrients in the pre-starter phase.

The addition of protease to broiler diets may complement the action of endogenous enzymes and improve protein digestibility. Here, the authors evaluated the effect of adding protease to broiler diets that contained animal-based meal on bird performance, digestibility, and biometry of digestive tract organs. Four treatments, which contained animal- or plant-based meals with or without supplementary protease were compared, namely basal vegetable feed (BVF), BVF + protease (BFP), basal vegetable feed + animal byproduct meal (BFA), and BFA + protease. In the first experiment, 320 one-day-old Cobb 500® chicks were allocated to eight replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The experimental period was seven days, and nutrient metabolizability was evaluated. In the second experiment, 720 one-day-old Cobb 500® chicks were assigned to treatments in a similar manner, with six replicates and 30 birds per replicate, but the experimental period was 42 days. Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed between treatments for nutrient digestibility, weight gain, feed consumption, average final weight, food conversion, viability, and biometry of the pancreas. Treatments with animal-based meals had the highest digestibility. Birds fed these meals grew faster in the pre-starter phase and consumed less feed between 1 and 21 days. However, between 1 and 42 days old, broilers fed plant-based diets had better feed conversion, and the group that did not receive protease supplementation had a better liveability rate.

ABSTRACT Three experiments were conducted to estimate the optimal digestible threonine to lysine ratios (Thr:Lys) of meat-type quails during the pre-starter (1 to 7 days), starter (8 to 14 days) and grower I (15 to 21 days) phases. In each experiment, 600 birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments, consisting of five dietary Thr:Lys ratios (0.66, 0.71, 0.76, 0.81 and 0.86%), with eight replicates of 15 quails each. Performance parameters and intestinal morphology were evaluated. During the pre-starter phase, feed intake, threonine intake, weight gain, and ileal villus height linearly increased (p<0.01) as dietary digestible Thr:Lys increased. During the starter phase, increasing digestible Thr:Lys ratios had a linear effect (p<0.01) on threonine intake and livability, and linear and quadratic effects (p<0.01) on feed intake. During the grower I phase, increasing digestible Thr:Lys ratios promoted linear increase in threonine intake and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05), and a linear decrease in weight gain. The estimated digestible Thr:Lys ratios recommended for meat-type quails are 0.85, 0.73 and 0.66%, for the pre-starter, starter and grower I phases, respectively.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of feather and blood meal (FBM) in broiler pre-starter and starter diets according to the processing method used. Performance, digestibility, and intestinal morphometry of broilers fed diets containing FBM were evaluated in two experiments, in the pre-starter (1-7 d) and starter (8-21 d) phases in a randomized block design with four treatments and five replicates of 12 birds, totaling 20 experimental units per trial. The criteria used for block formation was the battery floor. The meal was processed under different degrees of hydrolysis pressure (2.0 kgf/cm2 for 40 min; 2.5 kgf/cm2 for 30 min; and 3.0 kgf/cm2 for 20 min) and added at 9% to the pre-starter (Experiment I) and starter (Experiment II) diets. In each experiment, 480 male Cobb 500® chicks were allocated to batteries. The following variables were measured: live weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and digestibility and retention of dry matter, nitrogen, and ether extract. Performance was not influenced by the dietary inclusion of the ingredient. However, FBM subjected to the highest hydrolysis pressure resulted in the worst overall nutritional balances. The chickens were more susceptible to FBM processing in the pre-starter phase, when the hydrolysis pressure of 2.5 kgf/m2 for 30 min provided the best results. In the starter diet, FBM processed at a hydrolysis pressure of 2.0 kgf/m2 for 40 min provided the best performance results up to 14 days of age, without changing nutrient metabolism. Up to 9% feather and blood meal can be included in broiler pre-starter and starter diets as long as the ingredient processing method is well-known.

ABSTRACT Post-hatch delayed placement damages the physical and physiological development of broiler chicks. This study was designed to find adequate levels of betaine inclusion in pre-hatching and pre-starter feed, in order to minimize the negative effects of post-hatch delayed placement on broiler chicks. Newly-hatched chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design, with five treatments, five replicates of ten birds each. Five dietetic levels of betaine (control, 0.070, 0.130, 0.200 and 0.260%) were used in the pre-starter ration, offered to the chicks in the transporting box and during the pre-starter phase. Performance, yolk sac retraction, plasma glucose concentration, weight and histomorphometry of the small intestine were evaluated, after 24 hours of feed access and at 7 days of age. A metabolic trial was performed from seven to ten days of age. Betaine supplementation linearly influenced the chick’s ileum crypt depth after 24 hours in the transportation box. There was a quadratic effect, with an increase in feed intake up to 0.152% betaine supplementation. There was an improvement in the quality of the jejunum with betaine supplementation above 0.1%. The metabolizable coefficient of the ether extract was improved until reaching 0.163% of betaine supplementation. Betaine supplementation around 0.150% increases feed intake, the use of ether extract and interferes with the intestinal villi of chicks at seven days of age.

Nutrition contributes approximately 75% of the total input costs to an intensive ostrich production unit. An increase in the price of traditional protein sources thus necessitates finding cheaper alternatives. Sweet lupins were identified as a possible alternative; therefore, the effect of feeding various sweet lupin inclusion levels was evaluated throughout the different feeding phases. One hundred and forty ostrich chicks were randomly divided into five dietary treatments with three replications each. The chicks all received a standard commercial pre-starter ostrich diet. Five iso-nutritional diets were formulated for each feeding phase according to specifications set out for each of the different feeding phases using Mixit2+ software. For each feeding phase the diets contained either soybean oilcake meal (control diet, 0LD) or sweet lupins (alternative protein source). The 100 lupin diet (LD) was formulated to include the maximum amount of sweet lupins according to the specifications for the specific species and the feeding phase, and therefore differs between the three feeding phases. Soybean oilcake meal was thus gradually replaced by sweet lupins in the following ratios: 100:0 (0LD), 75:25 (25LD), 50:50 (50LD), 25:75 (75LD), and 0:100 (100LD). Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Feed intakes and live weights were measured every fortnight until slaughter at ca. 11 months of age. No differences were found between the treatment diets for the live weight, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) at the end of each feeding phase. However, the birds on the 75LD tended to have the highest end weight and ADG, and those on the 100LD the lowest at the end of the starter phase. No differences were found for slaughter weight, dressing percentage and big drum muscle weight of the birds. Birds on the 50LD and 75LD tended to have the heaviest cold carcasses; this differed from the 100LD birds which had the lightest. Birds fed the 50LD had heavier thigh weights than those on the other diets. The results of this study indicate that soybean oilcake meal can be replaced in the diets of slaughter ostriches with sweet lupins up to 15% (75LD) in starter diets and 30% (100LD) in grower and finisher diets without any significant effect on any of the production and slaughter traits.